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Latin America & Antarctica
Argentina & Antarctica
10 nights/11 days Argentina & Antarctica
Classic Antarctica
Embark on a voyage to one of the most beautiful and unexplored places on the planet. For over two centuries, the remote White Continent has attracted scientists and explorers and now this frozen land has opened its doors to adventure travellers. Journeying from the fascinating archipelago of Tierra del Fuego to the Antarctic Peninsula, you'll be totally mesmerized by unique wildlife, majestic icebergs and superb scenery.
Independent Travel
Personalised itineraries * Choice of hotels
Itinerary
Day 1, Depart from Ushuaia - Embark the USHUAIA in the afternoon and meet your expedition and lecture staff. After you have settled into your cabins we sail along the famous Beagle Channel and the scenic Mackinlay Pass. Day 2 - 3, Crossing the Drake Passage - Named after the renowned explorer, Sir Francis Drake, who sailed these waters in 1578, the Drake Passage also marks the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar water sinks beneath the warmer northern waters. This creates a great upwelling of nutrients, which sustains the biodiversity of this region. The Drake Passage also marks the northern limit of many Antarctic seabirds. As we sail across the passage, our lecturers will be out with you on deck to help in the identification of an amazing variety of seabirds, including many albatrosses, which follow in our wake. The USHUAIA's open bridge policy allows you to join our officers on the bridge and learn about navigation, watch for whales, and enjoy the view. A full programme of lectures will be offered as well. The first sightings of icebergs and snow-capped mountains indicate that we have reached the South Shetland Islands, a group of twenty islands and islets first sighted in February 1819 by Capt. William Smith of the brig Williams. With favorable conditions our lecturers and naturalists will accompany you ashore as you experience your first encounter with the penguins and seals on Day 3. Day 4 - 8, Exploring South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula - The South Shetland Islands are a haven for wildlife. Vast penguin rookeries, beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals make every day spent in this amazing island group unforgettable. Sailing through the narrow passage into the flooded caldera of Deception Island is truly amazing. King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands, features colonies of nesting adélie and chinstrap penguins, kelp gulls, blueeyed cormorants, Antarctic terns and southern giant petrels and is home to scientific bases of many different countries. Macaroni, chinstrap and gentoo penguins as well as elephant seals await you at Livingston Island. The Antarctic Peninsula's remarkable history will provide you with a type of excitement often only associated with the early explorers. You will have plenty of time to explore its amazing scenery, a pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains and waterways, and an incredible wide variety of wildlife. Apart from penguins and seabirds you are very likely to see weddell, crabeater and leopard seals as well as minke, killer (orca) and humpback whales at close range. We hope to navigate some of the most beautiful waterways (depending on the ice conditions): the Gerlache Strait, the Neumayer Channel, and the Lemaire Channel, the latter are narrow passages between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers. We plan to make at least two landings per day. Paradise Bay is perhaps the most aptly named place in the world and we attempt a landing on the continent proper. After negotiating the iceberg-strewn waters of the Antarctic Sound, we hope to visit the bustling adélie penguin (over 100,000 pairs breed here) and blue-eyed cormorant colonies on Paulet Island. The Nordenskjöld expedition built a stone survival hut here in 1903. Today its ruins have been taken over by nesting penguins. Further exploration may take you to Melchior Island, Cuverville Island, Portal Point, Neko Harbour, Pléneau Island and if ice conditions permit, to Petermann Island for a visit to the southernmost colony of gentoo penguins. Day 9 - 10, At Sea crossing the Drake Passage, northbound - We leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. Join our lecturers and naturalists on deck as we search for seabirds and whales and enjoy some final lectures. Take the chance to relax and reflect on the fascinating adventures of the past days on the way back to Ushuaia. Day 11, Arrival at Ushuaia - We arrive at Ushuaia in the early morning and disembark the USHUAIA after breakfast. Please note: The above itinerary is a guide only. Our exact route and program will vary to take best advantage of local weather and ice conditions and opportunities to view wildlife. Changes will be made by the Captain and/or Expedition Leader to facilitate the best results from the prevailing conditions. A daily program sheet will be issued on board. Flexibility is the key to success.
Accommodation: 10 nights in twin share cabins. Meals: All meals while onboard. Excursions: Shore landings by zodiac style boats. Transport: Ice strengthened research vessel, the Ushuaia , zodiac style boats, on foot. Group: Maximum 84 passengers. Age: Recommended 18 - 60. Staff: 5 expedition staff / lecturers plus ships crew of around 30.
What's excluded: International / national flights & departure tax, tips, visas, travel insurance, personal items * Pre & post tour accommodation plus transfers to the Port of Ushuaia: see page 205 & 206 for reservations * Spending money, allow US$15 per day to cover snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs and any extras. Please see page 15 for travel style details
Antarctica
The Antarctic is described time and again as one of the last great wildernesses, and it's lure has never been stronger. An eternal magnet for explorers and researchers alike, Antarctica's mental and physical challenges have never been enough to stop expedition after expedition from attempting polar crossings and scientists queuing up to spend a year or more at a remote research station. But modern Antarctica is no longer just the territory of the brave and the bold: this is now a continent within reach of anyone& Although Antarctica is still one of the most unchartered places on earth, you can join a Tucan Travel Antarctic voyage and be one of the lucky few to set foot on this breathtakingly beautiful continent. The austral summer, from November to March, bathes Antarctica with almost 24 hour daylight and the expedition will take you to remote locations where landscapes unlike anything you have ever seen before will leave you consistently lost for words. Landing in zodiacs and sighting large penguin colonies, magnificent whales, breathtaking icebergs and stunning glaciers will make each day more incredible than the last. The changing climate and the whims of stranded icebergs prevent the possibility that two voyages, or even two days, could be alike and if you ever decide to come back, the scenery will be different.
A polar day
Antarctic voyages are certainly not your average cruise holiday! Although comfortable, the USHUAIA has been built as a working research vessel and is not a luxury ship. You must also remember that you are travelling to one of the most remote and unpredictable regions on earth. You won't be spending evenings in a cabaret lounge or casino, but rather you will find that, if you can tear yourself away from the viewing deck, there is the opportunity to participate in lectures to better appreciate the Antarctic environment around you. Although an itinerary outline is given, Antarctic exploring is anything but exact and days can change depending on weather conditions. Landings are also not set in stone and the frequency, location and duration will vary depending on the best conditions and the most abundant wildlife or stunning scenery. Days with almost continual sunlight also mean that we can tailor landings to sightseeing opportunities rather than the clock. Landings are made by zodiac style boats (rubber craft with an outboard motor taking approximately 10 passengers) and time ashore will vary from a few minutes to a few hours. The zodiacs are also used for closer encounters with icebergs or wildlife. Favourable weather and calm seas cannot be guaranteed and you will need your sense of adventure and a flexible nature to get the most out of your voyage. But with that in mind, we guarantee that your Antarctic voyage will be the most indescribable and unforgettable 11 days of your life.
Santiago
Buenos Aires
CHILE
Valdés Peninsula
P A C I F I C O C E A N
A T L A N T I C O C E A N
Falkland Islands
Protecting the wilderness
Tucan Travel is an associate member of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO), a member organisation founded in 1991 to advocate, promote and practice safe and environmentally responsible private sector travel to Antarctica. Much has been speculated about the affects of tourism on the Antarctic however IAATO firmly believe that the knowledge and appreciation derived from responsible tourism actually brings substantial benefits to the conservation of the region. All Tucan Travel voyages closely follow guidelines laid out by IAATO including environmental monitoring of the vessel and carefully supervised and controlled landings. Passengers are fully briefed on correct behaviour when in the vicinity of wildlife and are forbidden from taking any food or drink from the ship ashore.
ARGENTINA
Ushuaia
Cape Horn
D R A K E
P A S S A G E S C O T I A S E A
South Shetland Islands South Orkney Islands
King George Island Livingston Island Deception Island Cuverville Island Gerlache Strait Paradise Bay Adelaide Island Alexander Island
An ta su cP en in la
W E D D E L L S E A
ANTARCTICA
For Tour Dossiers and further information, visit our website.
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Latin America & Antarctica // 207
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